Windtower

Route Description for Windtower

For first-timers, just finding the right parking lots can be a challenge. Luckily, on weekends there are usually a fair number of other cars that are mostly for hikers going to West Wind Pass. Windtower is a lightly-trafficked hike, and don’t be surprised if your group is the only one there during midweek.

The trail starts by going up the same route as the trail to West Wind Pass, so you’ll meet other people heading there as you hike.

The hike starts in the trees across the road from where you parked, and immediately comes to a sign stating that the West Wind Valley is closed from December 1st to June 15th.

The path heads up through the trees, with Spurling Creek to your right, though often out of sight. Soon after you start your hike, you’ll come across the trail’s first deviation: take the right-hand route with signs west for Windy Pass.

After roughly 30 minutes you’ll come to some cliff bands with the route going over them. Go across this tricky area, taking care. The path splits 10 minutes later, and you can go either way, however we prefer to take the lower of the two paths.

As you come to West Wind Pass (also known as Windy Pass), you’ll notice a large mountain on the right. This is Windtower. The path you see up the mountain on your left is the Rimwall Ridge Route. Continue to follow the well-defined path to the right as it comes to West Wind Pass.

Once you get to West Wind Pass, you will appreciate the beauty. You can continue along the path for a short while to let the views expand in front of you! We love a break here.

Now you must break away from the crowds and head up to Windtower. Return to the pass and looking down on where your car is (and Spray Lakes Reservoir), follow a path that goes to your left, in and out of the trees. You’ll only be on this path for a short while before you come across some cliff bands that may require use of hands. As far as scrambles go it isn’t formidable however be careful.

From here, the route goes from very clear to heavily braided and hard to follow as it goes across the slope below Windtower for roughly 45 minutes. Make sure to follow a path you are comfortable on and be prepared to go around any scrambling you don’t like the look of.

It's very easy to miss the turn on your left that heads up the scree slope up to Windtower. This is because the turnoff comes when the view towards the Spray Lakes before you and to your right is spectacularly distracting! Look for a path going off to the left. If you look up and see a large cliff band, then you’ve turned too soon. On our map, we show how to get back on the path if you turn too soon on the way up and the regular route coming down.

Once on the correct path, the route up is clear. The path listed on most maps shows a large switchback, however the actual path is pretty much a direct line to the summit of Windtower.

While walking up to Windtower, the stunning Mount Lougheed comes into view as you get higher, with the rugged serrated faces that are colourful and beautiful.

Once at the top, you’ll have amazing views into Canmore, over to Mount Lougheed, behind you to the Spray Lakes and Spray Valley, and down to the left the West Wind Pass and the Rimwall looming high above. There is a summit register here for you to leave your name.

From the top of Windtower, hike back down the way you came. You’ve just had one of the best days of hiking in the Kananaskis!

Check out other amazing hikes in Kananaskis – Smith Dorrien:

• Burstall Pass Hike
• Rummel Pass Hike
• West Wind Pass Hike
• Rummel Lake Hike
• Chester Lake Hike

Insider Hints for Windtower

• Take poles as this hike is very steep at times.
• It can get hot on this hike, as it’s west-facing and exposed. Consider bringing some swimming trunks and a lot of courage to swim in the chilly Spray Lake down by the car.
• Fill-up on bagels in Canmore before the hike at the Rocky Mountain Bagel Co.
• Really hot days may need slurpees, which can be found at the Mac’s store in Canmore on Bow Valley Trail, in a strip mall just off of Railway Ave.